Electronic pipette

ABSTRACT

An electronic pipette comprising a piston actuated in a cylinder by a motor, a control system for carrying out pipette operations, and a user interface for operating the pipette, which user interface comprises a display, wherein the main menu of the user interface comprises a user defined shortcut to a specific pipetting application.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a Continuation application of U.S. Ser. No.14/275,956, filed May 13, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,463,456, issued onOct. 11, 2015, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 of FinnishPatent Application No. 20135494, filed May 13, 2013, the disclosures ofwhich are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an electronic pipette intended for usein the dosage of liquids and comprising a piston actuated in a cylinderby a motor, a control system for carrying out pipette operations, and auser interface for operating the pipette, which user interface comprisesa display.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Electronic pipettes comprising a user interface with a display fordisplaying information and data are known from prior art. Generally,these known user interfaces also include buttons, switches or other kindof means for making selections, inputting data, browsing menus and/oractivating selected pipetting operations with the help of the display.

Publication WO 2005/079989 discloses an electronic pipette comprising acontrol system and a user interface with a display andinputting/selection means, where the control system comprises at leasttwo pipetting setting arrays, each setting array comprising at least onesetting that acts over the entire volume range and that can be changedseparately for each array of settings, whereby a desired setting arraycan be selected for use in each case. The setting arrays can be savedand named as separate profiles, for example, for different users. Thesetting arrays and profiles can also be equipped with a lockingfunction, with a password protection, for example, which preventsunauthorized use and/or changes to the settings.

One known type of user interface is known from U.S. Publication No.2009/0074622 A1, which user interface is menu-driven and allows the userto program pipetting operations and/or applications having a pluralityof pipetting actions or steps.

The use of electronic pipettes is increasing, but even though theiradvantages, such as time savings, decrease in repetitions, etc., most ofthe pipettes presently sold are still manual pipettes. One reason forthis is the higher price of the electronic pipettes, but ease of use ofthe manual pipettes has also significant effect.

Even though the user interfaces of the electronic pipettes havedeveloped greatly in recent years, they are still quite inflexible andnot very well adaptable to user needs. Therefore, most of the usersstill use manual pipettes or use only portion of the actions andpossibilities provided by the electronic pipettes.

Electronic pipettes are also generally used by different users and indifferent applications. Due to the complex user interface, many users donot save the settings but change them manually when required. Thiscontinuous editing of the settings increases the possibility of editingand programming errors, which increases the risk of pipetting errors,especially if the user does not notice that the application or actionhas been modified by other user or even by him-/herself.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to overcome at least partially the above-mentioned problems andto improve the user interface and usability of an electronic pipette,the present invention provides an electronic pipette where the main menuof the user interface comprises a user defined shortcut to a specificpipetting application.

With this kind of shortcut to a specific pipetting application locatedin the main menu of the user interface, the user can quickly and easilyproceed to carry out the specific pipetting application without the needto go through plurality of sub menus and different settings.

Advantageously, the shortcut in the main menu of the user interface inthe present invention is displayed as a user definable and modifiableicon, whereby it is easy to present the shortcut in the main menu easilyidentifiable to the user, with a specific form and coloring of the icon,for example. This is especially helpful where there is, for example, aplurality of user defined shortcuts in the main menu.

In the present invention, the specific pipetting application comprisesadvantageously a plurality of pipetting actions. These pipetting actionsmay be in a suitable sequence, for example. The pipetting actions mayinclude, for example, ejecting the tip of the pipette, filling of thetip container, dispensing the tip container, as well as pipettingfunctions comprising plurality of actions, such as direct pipetting,reverse pipetting, repetitive reverse pipetting, stepped pipetting,diluting, and mixing, for example.

The specific pipetting application may advantageously be user definable,via the user interface of the pipette, for example.

The specific pipetting application, and the relating shortcut as well asthe relating icon, may also advantageously be preprogrammed, with acomputer, for example, and input into the user interface. This type ofpreprogramming is much easier and quicker than setting the shortcut andthe specific pipetting application up through the user interface of theelectronic pipette. The preprogrammed specific pipetting applicationscan also easily be distributed to different electronic pipettes.

In the present invention, the specific pipetting applications mayadvantageously be password protected, so that other users cannot changethe settings or actions of the pipetting application, or so that onlyauthorized persons may modify the settings and actions of the specificpipetting application.

In the present invention, the main menu of the user interface of theelectronic pipette may be completely user definable and modifiable. Thisway the main menu can, for example, consist only of shortcut icons todifferent predefined specific pipetting actions.

The electronic pipette of the present invention is advantageously ahandheld entity, which may have a separate charging station, whichcharging station may also advantageously be used for inputtingpreprogrammed shortcuts, specific pipetting actions and other data intothe control system and/or user interface of the electronic pipette.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplifying embodiments of the present invention and its advantages areexplained in greater detail below in the sense of an example and withreference to the accompanying drawings, where:

FIG. 1 shows schematically an electronic pipette according to oneembodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 2 shows schematically a functional diagram of an electronic pipetteaccording to one embodiment of the present invention, and

FIGS. 3A-3I show an example of steps for creating a shortcut in a mainmenu of a user interface of an electronic pipette according to oneembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows schematically an electronic pipette according to oneembodiment of the present invention, which is driven with an electricmotor. The user interface of the control system comprises an operatingswitch 1, a keyboard 2 and a display 3. The pipette shown in FIG. 1 is ahandheld entity, which in this embodiment is an electronic multichannelpipette.

The display 3 is disposed at the top of the pipette, in a positionupwardly oblique away from the keyboard 2 on the upper surface of aprojection. A power source is provided within the projection. Thekeyboard 2 is disposed on the upper surface of the projection at its endon the side of the body. The display shows necessary informationrelating to the use of the pipette, such as, e.g., the pipette volumeand function in use and the current function step. The display alsoshows depending on the situation different menus, in which differentactions, settings and applications may be selected or modified.

Navigation and selections on the menu presented in the display iscarried out by means of the keyboard 2. The keyboard keys are: aright-hand selection key 4, a left-hand selection key 5, arrow keys 6,right-hand tip removal key 7 and left-hand tip removal key 8. Thecurrent is switched on by depressing any key. Depending on the menudisplayed, the selection keys allow the user to move forwards orbackwards in the menu hierarchy or to start using a selected function orapplication. Depending on the menu displayed, the arrow keys allow theuser to move to an option on the display or to change characters on thedisplay (such as digits or writing). The selection function enables theuser to move to the desired location in the menu and to confirm it bymeans of the selection keys. The characters may act on a setting of thefunction (e.g., volume, piston stroke speed), selecting function orapplication, or they may give some information.

FIG. 2 shows a functional diagram of an electronic pipette. The core ofthe control system is a central processing unit (CPU) connected with amemory. The CPU is used by means of the operation keys, i.e., theoperating switch 1 and the keyboard 2. The CPU is informed of the pistonposition by a reference position sensor. The CPU gives the commandsneeded for actuating the piston to a motor driver, which controls amotor. The functions are indicated on the display (liquid crystaldisplay LCD). Some functions are indicated with acoustic signals bymeans of a buzzer. In addition, the CPU is connected to a data interfaceallowing data input into or output from the CPU. A chargeable batteryacts as the voltage source. The battery comprises a voltage regulator.In this embodiment the battery is charged through charging connectorsusing a charger in a stand. The charging is also controlled by the CPU.

In FIG. 2, the parts under a dash line are included in the handheldentity of the electronic pipette, whereas the parts above the dash lineform a separate stand.

FIGS. 3A-3I show an example of steps for creating a shortcut in a mainmenu of a user interface of an electronic pipette according to oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3A shows a main menu of a user interface of an electronic pipetteaccording to one embodiment of the present invention. This menu includesas a default key functions and settings relating the use of theelectronic pipette. The main menu also includes option named as “Mypipette” which allows the user to define and modify personal shortcutsfor specific pipetting actions, and to personalize the main menu of thepipette.

When the option “My pipette” is selected from the main menu, a “Mypipette” menu is opened in the display of the pipette showing options“Pipette Name”, “Shortcuts” and “Organize Icons”, as shown in FIG. 3B.The option “Pipette Name” allows the user to give a specific name to thepipette, the option “Shortcuts” allows the user to create specificpipetting applications and relating shortcuts to these applications andmodify these, and the option “Organize Icons” allows the user to add,modify and remove icons on the main menu.

When the option “Shortcuts” is selected from the “My pipette” menu, asshown in FIG. 3C, a “Shortcuts” menu is opened with four numberedshortcut options, as shown in FIG. 3D. In the situation of FIG. 3D,there are no defined shortcuts, since all of the numbered shortcuts aredefined as “None”.

For proceeding to define a shortcut, option “Shortcut 1” is selectedfrom “Shortcuts” menu, which selection opens a “Shortcut 1” menu, asshown in FIG. 3E. The “Shortcut 1” menu displays plurality of optionsfor pipetting actions and pipetting applications, as well as possiblepreset or preprogrammed pipetting applications.

From the “Shortcut 1” menu is selected option “Pipette 001” which is,for example, a preprogrammed pipetting application, as shown in FIG. 3F.After this selection is accepted, the previous “Shortcuts” menu isopened, where the “Shortcuts 1” option now shows the set “Pipette 001”application, as shown in FIG. 3G. When the wanted changes to this“Shortcuts” menu are done, the use returns to the “My pipette” menu, asshown in FIG. 3H.

When the user returns from the “My pipette” menu to the main menu, a newshortcut “Pipette 001” is created in the main menu, as is shown in FIG.3I.

The user may change the location of this new shortcut “Pipette 001” byreturning to the “My pipette” menu shown in FIGS. 3B and 3H, andselecting the “Organize Icons” option, which allows the user to move anddelete existing icons in the main menu.

Now, when the option “Pipette 001” is selected from the main menu, theelectronic pipette proceeds directly to carry out the defined actionsdefined in this application with the defined settings.

The icon for the shortcut can be defined to be uniform for allshortcuts, the icon can be included in the pipetting application option,or the icon can be created and/or modified by the user with the userinterface of the pipette, for example.

While the present invention has been illustrated by description ofvarious embodiments and while those embodiments have been described inconsiderable detail, it is not the intention of Applicant to restrict orin any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such details.Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to thoseskilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is thereforenot limited to the specific details and illustrative examples shown anddescribed. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of Applicant's invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A handheld electronic pipette, comprising: apiston actuated in a cylinder by a motor, a control system for carryingout pipette operations, and a user interface for operating the pipette,which user interface comprises a display, wherein the piston, controlsystem and user interface are provided in the electronic pipette, andwherein the pipette is configured to execute a shortcut, appearing in amain menu of the user interface, to a specific pipetting application,which shortcut is created by selection of a pipetting application todefine the shortcut, the created shortcut being selectable by a userfrom the main menu, and whereby the specific pipetting applicationcomprises at least one pipetting action from the group of ejecting a tipof the pipette, filling of a tip attached to the pipette and dispensingfrom a tip attached to the pipette, and the pipette is configured tocarry out the at least one pipetting action of the specific pipettingapplication when the specific pipetting application is selected by theuser via the created shortcut from the main menu.
 2. The electronicpipette according to claim 1, wherein the pipette is configured toenable a user to define and modify the main menu of the user interface.3. The electronic pipette according to claim 1, further comprising theshortcut to a specific pipetting application.
 4. The electronic pipetteaccording to claim 3, wherein the shortcut is displayed as a userdefinable and modifiable icon.
 5. The electronic pipette according toclaim 3, wherein the specific pipetting application comprises aplurality of pipetting actions.
 6. The electronic pipette according toclaim 3, wherein the specific pipetting application is user definable.7. The electronic pipette according to claim 3, wherein the specificpipetting application and/or settings of the specific pipettingapplication are password protected.
 8. The electronic pipette accordingto claim 3, wherein the pipette is configured to enable the shortcut tothe specific pipetting application to be created on the pipette.
 9. Theelectronic pipette according to claim 3, wherein the pipette isconfigured to enable download of the created shortcut.